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1 – 10 of over 18000
Article
Publication date: 6 February 2017

Shanshan Zhang, Zhiqiang Wang, Xiande Zhao and Min Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of institutional support on product and process innovation and firm performance and describe how dysfunctional…

1172

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effects of institutional support on product and process innovation and firm performance and describe how dysfunctional competition influences relevant outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a research model based on institution-based view and tests it using structural equation modeling and empirical data collected from 300 manufacturers in China.

Findings

The results show that institutional support positively affects product and process innovation and firm performance. Both product and process innovation improve firm performance. The findings reveal that dysfunctional competition significantly reduces the positive effects of institutional support on product and process innovation but leaves the effects of institutional support and product and process innovation on firm performance unaffected.

Originality/value

This study contributes to innovation literature by providing insights into the impact of China’s institutional environment on manufacturing firms’ product and process innovation decisions. The findings also contribute to institution-based view literature by providing empirical evidence on the joint effects of institutional support and dysfunctional competition on product and process innovation and firm performance. This study can help manufacturers in China take advantage of institutional environment and adjust product and process innovation decisions accordingly.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 117 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Sport Business in Leading Economies
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78743-564-3

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Shichang Liang, Rulan Li, Bin Lan, Yuxuan Chu, Min Zhang and Li Li

This study explores how chatbot gender and symbolic service recovery may improve the satisfaction of angry customers in the context of service failures. It provides a strategy for…

Abstract

Purpose

This study explores how chatbot gender and symbolic service recovery may improve the satisfaction of angry customers in the context of service failures. It provides a strategy for companies to deploy chatbots effectively in customer anger.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies upon a systematic literature review to propose three hypotheses, and we recruit 826 participants to examine the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers through one lab study and one field study.

Findings

This research shows that female chatbots are more likely to increase the satisfaction of angry customers than male chatbots in service failure scenarios. In addition, symbolic recovery (apology vs. appreciation) moderates the effect of chatbot gender on angry customers. Specifically, male (vs. female) chatbots are more effective in increasing the satisfaction of angry customers when using the apology method, whereas female (vs. male) chatbots are more effective when using the appreciation method.

Originality/value

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technology have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of chatbots as virtual agents in the field of interactive marketing. Previous research has concluded that chatbots can reduce negative customer feedback following a service failure. However, these studies have primarily focused on the level of chatbot anthropomorphism and the design of conversational texts, rather than the gender of chatbots. Therefore, this study aims to bridge that gap by examining the effect of chatbot gender on customer feedback, specifically focusing on angry customers following service failures.

Details

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-7122

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 June 2021

Min Zhang, Wen Lin, Zhen Ma, Jun Yang and Yan Zhang

This paper aims to theorize and examine how central cognition elaboration cue and peripheral cognition elaboration cue influence users’ health information sharing intention in…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to theorize and examine how central cognition elaboration cue and peripheral cognition elaboration cue influence users’ health information sharing intention in Strong ties social media (STSM) in emerging markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper innovatively proposes two concepts of health information emotion and health information sharing value based on the in-depth observation of users’ social health behavior. We integrate Elaboration Likelihood Model, Media Richness Theory, Trust Theory and Regulatory Focus Theory to develop hypotheses and research models and lay emphasis on the study of health information emotion’s moderating effect. This paper conducts an empirical study by selecting 372 health information users of WeChat, a typical STSM, to verify the research model by structural equation model.

Findings

For the central route, individual motivation and health information richness positively influence health information sharing value. For peripheral route, health information source trust and health information recipient trust both positively influence the health information sharing attitude. Health information sharing value and sharing attitude can positively affect users’ health information sharing intention. In addition, health information positive emotion has significant moderating effect, while health information negative emotion does not have.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a comprehensive perspective for understanding users’ health information sharing intention in STSM in emerging markets, an important but understudied topic. The results can also give implications for researchers to explore users’ behavioral intention from the perspective of process-oriented persuasion and health information emotion’s moderating effect.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 41 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2017

Changjun Chen, Yang Li, Min Zhang, Xiaonan Wang, Chao Zhang and Hemin Jing

Additive manufacturing (AM), a method used in the nuclear, space and racing industries, allows the creation of customized titanium alloy scaffolds with highly defined external…

337

Abstract

Purpose

Additive manufacturing (AM), a method used in the nuclear, space and racing industries, allows the creation of customized titanium alloy scaffolds with highly defined external shape and internal structure using rapid prototyping as supporting external structures within which bone tissue can grow. AM allows porous tantalum parts with mechanical properties close to that of bone tissue to be obtained.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, porous tantalum structures with different scan distance were fabricated by AM using laser multi-layer micro-cladding.

Findings

Porous tantalum samples were tested for resistance to compressive force and used scanning electron microscope to reveal the morphology of before and after compressive tests. Their structure and mechanical properties of these porous Ta structures with porosity in the range of 35.48 to 50 per cent were investigated. The porous tantalum structures have comparable compressive strength 56 ∼ 480 MPa, and elastic modulus 2.8 ∼ 9.0GPa, which is very close to those of human spongy bone and compact bone.

Research limitations/implications

This paper does not demonstrate the implant results.

Practical implications

It can be used as implant material for the repair bone.

Social implications

It can be used for fabrication of other porous materials.

Originality/value

This paper system researched the scan distance on how to influence the mechanical properties of fabricated porous tantalum structures.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 23 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 7 August 2023

Yubing Yu, Haohui Li, Jiawei Xu, Min Zhang, Xiuru Zhang, Justin Zuopeng Zhang and Ye Wu

This study aims to examine the joint effect of internal quality integration and product innovation on financial performance by considering the mediating roles of incremental and…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the joint effect of internal quality integration and product innovation on financial performance by considering the mediating roles of incremental and radical product innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical framework was developed using the organizational capability view. Based on empirical survey data collected from 209 Chinese manufacturing firms, this research uses structural equation modeling and the bootstrapping method to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that internal quality integration positively impacts incremental and radical product innovation and financial performance. Further, incremental product innovation can promote radical product innovation. Both incremental and radical product innovation partially mediate the relationship between internal quality integration and financial performance.

Practical implications

The findings provide practical guidance for manufacturing companies to engage in quality integration and product innovation. Managers should encourage the internal functional departments to coordinate quality integration while promoting incremental and radical product innovation to occupy a larger market and achieve higher performance.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the literature in two ways. First, this study expands the theoretical research framework of the joint effects of quality integration and product innovation on financial performance. Second, through testing the mediating role of product innovation, this study provides empirical evidence for the intermediate role of internal quality integration for improving financial performance.

Details

Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 34 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-038X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 July 2020

Longwei Wang, Meige Song, Min Zhang and Li Wang

This study aims to empirically investigate the role of contracts in tacit knowledge acquisition in research and development (R&D) alliances. By combining the perspectives of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to empirically investigate the role of contracts in tacit knowledge acquisition in research and development (R&D) alliances. By combining the perspectives of sensemaking and transaction cost economics (TCE), this study proposes a model about the mechanisms through which shared goals and contract completeness jointly affect tacit knowledge acquisition.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a quantitative design and used the questionnaire survey method to collect data. The authors finally collected data on 196 R&D alliance samples in China. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

There is strong empirical support that contract completeness has a positive effect on shared goals and that shared goals have a positive effect on tacit knowledge acquisition. Meanwhile, contract completeness weakens the positive effect of shared goals on tacit knowledge acquisition. Therefore, this study reveals that contract completeness has an inverted U-shaped effect on tacit knowledge acquisition.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that managers should consider both the psychological and rational effects of contract governance simultaneously, thus recognizing the importance of a moderate level of contract completeness for tacit knowledge acquisition in R&D alliances.

Originality/value

This study enhances the current understanding of contract governance by integrating the sensemaking and TCE perspectives. The findings provide a possible explanation of how contracts affect tacit knowledge acquisition in R&D alliances. The authors expand the research on contract governance and alliance knowledge acquisition by revealing the inverted U-shaped relationship between contract governance and tacit knowledge acquisition.

Details

Journal of Knowledge Management, vol. 25 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1367-3270

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2020

Qiuping Huang, Xiande Zhao, Min Zhang, KwanHo Yeung, Lijun Ma and Jeff Hoi-yan Yeung

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the joint effects of lead time, information sharing and the accounts receivable period on reverse factoring (RF) adoption…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the joint effects of lead time, information sharing and the accounts receivable period on reverse factoring (RF) adoption from the suppliers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Supported by one of the largest commercial banks in China, survey data are collected from 424 Chinese manufacturing firms and analyzed using regression methods.

Findings

The results suggest that lead time positively affects suppliers’ RF adoption directly and indirectly through the accounts receivable period. Meanwhile, information sharing has a positive, direct and a negative, indirect influence on suppliers’ RF adoption.

Originality/value

The findings give suppliers and financial institutions a better understanding of how to leverage the benefits of RF.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 120 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 March 2022

Min Zhang, Xiande Zhao, Baofeng Huo and Barbara Flynn

This study aims to examine the relationships between power, relationship commitment and customer integration by replicating and extending Zhao et al. (2008) in China and the USA.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationships between power, relationship commitment and customer integration by replicating and extending Zhao et al. (2008) in China and the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects data from 210 manufacturers in China and 202 manufacturers in the USA. In this study, structural equation modelling is used to analyse the data.

Findings

This study finds that normative relationship commitment is positively associated with customer integration and expert and referent power are positively associated with normative relationship commitment in China and the USA. Reward and coercive power are positively associated with instrumental relationship commitment in China, whereas referent power is negatively associated. Referent, legal legitimate and reward power are positively associated with instrumental relationship commitment in the USA, whereas expert and legitimate power are negatively associated.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence on the distinct impacts of different bases of mediated and non-mediated power in China and the USA, contributing to the development of the power-relationship commitment theory. The findings also provide insights into where and when the theory applies. The results can provide guidelines for managers to adjust the use of power to improve relationship commitment and customer integration in China and the USA.

Details

International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, vol. 52 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0960-0035

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2020

Wenming Cheng, Hui Wang, Min Zhang and Run Du

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved proportional topology optimization (IPTO) algorithm for tackling the stress-constrained minimum volume optimization problem…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose an improved proportional topology optimization (IPTO) algorithm for tackling the stress-constrained minimum volume optimization problem, which can meet the requirements that are to get rid of the problems of numerical derivation and sensitivity calculation involved in the process of obtaining sensitivity information and overcome the drawbacks of the original proportional topology optimization (PTO) algorithm.

Design/methodology/approach

The IPTO algorithm is designed by using the new target material volume update scheme and the new density variable update scheme and by introducing the improved density filter (considering the weighting function based on the Gaussian distribution) and Heaviside-type projection operator on the basis of the PTO algorithm. The effectiveness of the IPTO algorithm is demonstrated by solving the stress-constrained minimum volume optimization problems for two numerical examples and being compared with the PTO algorithm.

Findings

The results of this paper show that the uses of the proposed strategies contribute to improving the optimized results and the performance (such as the ability to obtain accurate solutions, robustness and convergence speed) of the IPTO algorithm. Compared with the PTO algorithm, the IPTO algorithm has the advantages of fast convergence speed, enhancing the ability to obtain accurate solutions and improving the optimized results.

Originality/value

This paper achieved the author’s intended purpose and provided a new idea for solving the stress-constrained optimization problem under the premise of avoiding obtaining sensitivity information.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 38 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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